BELLA Belen didn’t just walk into Capital1’s conference debut navigating a roster that suddenly swelled with eight new faces in her second PVL stint.
She was also handed a leadership mantle right away.
At just 23, the reigning No. 1 draft pick was tasked to serve as interim captain of the Solar Spikers, guiding a reshaped lineup to a 25-17, 25-16, 15-25, 25-19 opening win over ZUS Coffee on Tuesday.
READ: Belen leads way for Capital1 in decisive win over ZUS Coffee
Belen backed that responsibility with her most complete showing yet in the pros, erupting for a career-high 28 points to go with 16 digs and seven receptions in an all-around masterclass.
Those numbers alone suggested that the moment was anything but overwhelming for the former UAAP superstar, even if the captaincy assignment came on short notice with regular skipper Roma Doromal sidelined by illness.
“In-inform din ako ni coach Jorge kahapon na if kaya ko raw ‘yung ganyan, o kapag masyadong mabigat siya for me,” Belen said.
“Sabi ko naman, kaya ko naman since for me, ‘yung being a captain, pinagkaiba niya lang is may line ka lang under your number.
“Kung kahit naman hindi ako captain, I’ll try my best naman na mag-lead din ng team.”
Whether or not that line sat beneath her jersey number, Belen admitted it was still a different kind of responsibility to lead a pro team where she’s among the youngest, compared to her familiar role as a veteran voice back in the UAAP.
“Iba talaga, kasi sa NU, kasama ko na rin sila before so hindi siya ganun kahirap for me. Dito naman, hindi rin ganun kahirap since feeling ko pagdating sa game, sa Capital, walang captain-captain talaga eh,” she said.
“Kung sino kayang mag-lead, kailangan mag-lead din [dahil] hindi pwedeng isa o dalawa lang po talaga ‘yung gumagana sa team.”
If her debut as Capital1’s on-court leader was any indication, Belen’s influence goes well beyond a title, with or without the stripe.
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